Blacksburg - a special place since 1798
Virginia Tech is located in Blacksburg, VA, on 12,000 acres, nestled on a plateau between the Blue Ridge and Alleghany mountains. Home to about 42,600 local residents, the town is considered small by most, but don’t let its size or location fool you. Because of its award-winning services, reasonable cost of living, safety, moderate climate, and abundant leisure activities, Blacksburg is consistently ranked among the country’s best places to live and has earned a reputation nationwide as a well-managed, stable, and forward-looking community.
The University Campus
Virginia Tech is a public, land-grant institution, offering more than 280 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The campus is beautiful in the summer, and many outdoor activities are possible. Most of the TPS labs are located in Latham Hall, which has an active community of plant science researchers. Dormitory housing and dining halls are nearby (within a short walking distance).
The ARECs
Agricultural Research and Extension Centers (ARECs) are located in agricultural communities several hours from the main Virginia Tech campus. Faculty and staff at these stations conduct research on various crops and livestock in outdoor field and/or greenhouse trials. The ARECs participating in VT-REEL are located in Suffolk, Painter, Blackstone or Virginia Beach, VA. Each AREC has ample laboratory and conference space, as well as a common kitchen. Campus dining facilities are not available at ARECs.
Tidewater AREC located in Suffolk, VA, focuses on agronomic crops.
Eastern Shore AREC located in Painter, VA, focuses on agronomic and vegetable crops.
Southern Piedmont AREC located in Blackstone, VA, focuses on agronomic and horticultural crops.
Hampton Roads AREC located in Virginia Beach, VA, focuses on ornamental crops.
Agronomic crops include: corn, wheat, soybean, cotton and alfalfa. Vegetable crops include: tomato, cucumber, lettuce and potato. Horticultural crops include: tobacco, strawberry and wine grape. Ornamental crops include: nursery plants, small fruits (like kiwi and blackberry) and turfgrass.
See photo gallery below for images from the various ARECs participating in VT-REEL!
Agricultural Research and Extension Centers (ARECs) are located in agricultural communities several hours from the main Virginia Tech campus. Faculty and staff at these stations conduct research on various crops and livestock in outdoor field and/or greenhouse trials. The ARECs participating in VT-REEL are located in Suffolk, Painter, Blackstone or Virginia Beach, VA. Each AREC has ample laboratory and conference space, as well as a common kitchen. Campus dining facilities are not available at ARECs.
Tidewater AREC located in Suffolk, VA, focuses on agronomic crops.
Eastern Shore AREC located in Painter, VA, focuses on agronomic and vegetable crops.
Southern Piedmont AREC located in Blackstone, VA, focuses on agronomic and horticultural crops.
Hampton Roads AREC located in Virginia Beach, VA, focuses on ornamental crops.
Agronomic crops include: corn, wheat, soybean, cotton and alfalfa. Vegetable crops include: tomato, cucumber, lettuce and potato. Horticultural crops include: tobacco, strawberry and wine grape. Ornamental crops include: nursery plants, small fruits (like kiwi and blackberry) and turfgrass.
See photo gallery below for images from the various ARECs participating in VT-REEL!
